in 2020, Apple MacBooks have entered a new era. The company announced that it was moving away from the Intel chips it had been using since 2006 and launched the first Macs with the M1 designed by Apple. It reduces to 2022 and the company has added four more chips in the line: M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, two of which power the latest MacBook Pro, and the M2 chip as the successor to the M1.
Like Apple iPhones, chips work with the ARM architecture and give the company more control over their hardware and software. They make your laptops more powerful and more energy efficient, which means much improved performance and battery life. In addition, you get other benefits, such as the ability to run mobile apps originally created for iOS. However, choosing a MacBook is more difficult now. Apple no longer sells models with Intel technology, but you can find one at a third-party retailer with just a few more years of support. Is it worth buying one? Or should you do it all with Apple silicone? This is where we think you should spend your hard-earned money.
Updated June 2022: We’ve added information about the new 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro along with the latest M2 chip.
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Is it a good time to shop?
It depends. If you’re a powerful user looking for a powerful MacBook, this is a good time to grab a 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro, as Apple just released them last fall. However, most people do not need as much power. The cheaper M1-powered MacBook Air and the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro are still good to buy, but updated versions will be available for purchase starting in July.
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The best versatile
Photography: Apple
Apple’s latest MacBook Air includes a lot of upgrades both inside and out, which explains the price increase. From the design, the company officially abandoned the signature wedge-shaped factor for a more boxer chassis. It also comes in two new colors: midnight and starlight, in addition to the traditional space gray and silver options. The screen is also larger and brighter and comes with an updated webcam. At 13.6 inches (compared to 13.3 inches from its predecessor), the Liquid Retina panel has thinner edges, a 500-night screen brightness, and a notch that houses a 1080p sensor.
Apple did not introduce additional ports, but the MacBook Air received the same MagSafe treatment as the high-end MacBook Pro models. You can now magnetically connect the power cord to your laptop to charge it, freeing up the two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. Your MacBook also includes support for fast charging if you purchase the 67-watt USB-C power adapter. Apple claims it can power the MacBook up to 57 percent in just 30 minutes.